Autistic children grow up to be
autistic adults. They aren't cured, they don't grow out of it. It
stays with us, and sometimes, in the case of me, it can get worse as
we get older.
You might have seen films about
autistic children having meltdowns in shops, adults can have
meltdowns, too. I don't remember having meltdowns as a child
(probably did) but I do when I was growing up from a teenager to an
adult. Here are a few times.
The first one I really recall was one
of my first shopping trips by myself. It was local. I had gone to buy
some tapestry bits for doing a cross-stitch tapestry. When I came to
pay for them, I realised I didn't have enough money. I was mortified.
I left the shop in tears, and without a thing.
Cause: Frustration. Motto – Always take more than enough
money when going shopping.
The second example was when I was at
work. I had gone for an interview for another job in the same
department. It was the written test, and included sums, especially
percentages, which I am not good at all. I read it but still couldn't
work it out. I got so upset, I ran out of the room in tears and to
the nearest toilet. Not a good example for future employers. I was
calmed down by my then team manager. I never got the job, and in
hindsight, it was a good thing.
Cause: frustration. Motto - If you can't understand something, especially in an
interview, I feel that it is best left out. If in doubt, leave it
out.
The last example comes from the recent
past of a few years ago. My mum and I used to go to the local big
Sainsbury's. I used to get IBS within half an hour of starting
walking round the aisles, so had to leave my mum to carry on while I
went elsewhere. Only, when I came out, I couldn't find her and
panicked. This caused me to get upset and cry, making me lose all
reasonable thought. When my mum found me, I had a go at her, crying,
causing a scene. Definitely a meltdown.
Cause: separation
anxiety. Motto - Agree to meet at a particular point in the shop if you get
separated. Or the parent to wait outside the toilet. We ended up
agreeing to meet in the centre of the store. It worked.
So, adults can have meltdowns. I plan
to write out a guide to meltdowns and shutdowns in due course.
